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Fall 2008 Courses

ENVS 130: Global Earth Systems w/Lab
Hickcox, MWF 9:35-10:25, Lab Tu or W 2:30-5:30,  Max: 32
Content: A close look at the Earth's climate systems; how they work together today to produce climate, how they have worked in the recent and not-so- recent-past, and how they might work in the future. Special emphasis will be given to the greenhouse effect and evidence of previous climate change.
Text(s): TBA
Particulars: Examinations – 2 during the term plus a comprehensive final exam; weekly lab exercises.

ENVS 131 Introduction to Environmental Studies w/ Lab
Ruttan, TTH 11:30-12:45, Labs M or Tu 2:30-5:30, Max: 14
Content: This course is the first semester of Introductory Environmental Studies and is meant to be a rigorous introduction to the field, intended for majors and interested non-majors. Population and evolutionary thinking are central organizing concepts used this
semester. Thus we introduce key concepts and tools in the fields of evolutionary biology, population and community ecology, resource economics, and human ecology. We then apply these concepts to studying problems of the conservation of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, management of marine fisheries, agricultural food production, and
urbanization. Throughout lecture and laboratory, we emphasize the development of skills of observation as well as analysis and interpretation of data presented quantitatively and graphically. Topics such as climate change, freshwater management and hydrology, energy policy, and other applications of ecosystems ecology are covered in ENVS 132.
Text(s): TBA
Particulars: Required course for ENVS majors and minors.

ENVS 135: Environmental Geology
Hall, TTH 10:00-11:15, Max: 32
Content: Interdisciplinary approach to the interaction of humans with natural geological systems. Includes an overview of earth processes and materials, streams and flooding, air and water pollution, coastal zones and processes, climate and geology, geological disasters, and energy resources.
Text(s): Montgomery, C.A. Environmental Geology, 7th Ed., McGraw-Hill.
Particulars: Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions dealing with controversial and complex topics in this course. Evaluation will include in-class writing assignments, group assignments, presentations and exams.

ENVS 141: Introductory Geology w/ Lab
Hall, TTH, 11:30-12:45, Lab W or TH 2:30-5:30  Max: 28
Content: Basic introduction to rocks, minerals, and fundamental concepts of geology. Topics include rocks and minerals, watersheds, glaciers, shorelines, deserts, energy resources, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and forces shaping the surface of the Earth.
Text(s): Smith and Pun, How Does Earth Work? Physical Geology and the Process of Science. Prentice Hall.
Bush, R.M. Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, Prentice Hall.
Particulars: Lab meets weekly, field trips required.

ENVS 190S: Climate Change
Hickcox, MWF  12:50-1:40  Max: 18
Content: An introduction to the mechanisms of climate change, evidence of their effect in the past, and consequences for the future.
Text(s): (1)Burroughs, W.J. Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Approach. (2001). Cambridge University Press; (2) Weart, S.R., The Discovery of Global Warming. (2003), Harvard University Press.
Particulars: Open only to freshmen.

ENVS 190S Dinosaurs and their Environments
Martin, MWF 11:45-12:35, Max: 18
Content: Overview of the paleobiology and paleoecology of dinosaurs during their 165-million year history of interacting with terrestrial ecosystems. Topics will include the major groups of dinosaurs, their evolution, feeding habits, individual and social behaviors, extinctions, and their modern, living relatives (birds). Emphasis will be placed on learning about dinosaurs as living animals that impacted and changed their ecosystems throughout the Mesozoic Era, but were also affected by plate tectonics and sea-level fluctuations.
Text(s): Martin, A.J., 2006, Introduction to the Study of Dinosaurs [2nd Edition], Blackwell Publishing; readings from primary literature and press releases associated with dinosaurs in the news.
Particulars: One Saturday field trip to Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Open only to freshmen

ENVS 227WR Environmental Policy (Same as POLS 385WR)
Yandle, TT 8:30-9:45, Max: 8
Content: Prerequisites: ENVS 131,132 or POLS 100 or permission. An intermediate course designed to acquaint students with the basic concepts of American environmental policy. This course will begin by putting environmental policy in an historical perspective, and then briefly discuss the basics of public policy analysis, before moving on to current environmental policy. Topics such as the following are included: Federal Environmental Policymaking, Environmental Policy Tools, Controversies in Environmental Policy, US Environmental Policy in the age of Globalization. A Friday Lab is scheduled for this course. Attendance is required at three lab sessions which will involve field trips to environment related facilities.
Text(s): Rosenbaum, Walter A., 2007. Environmental Politics and Policy, 7th edition. Publisher: Congressional Quarterly, Inc.; Vig, Norman and Kraft, Michael, 2005. Environmental Policy: New Directions for the Twenty-First Century, 6th edition. Publisher: Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
Particulars: Three field trips on Friday afternoon required (1:30-5:30 p.m.).

ENVS 240: Ecosystem Ecology with Laboratory
Gunderson, TTH 1:00-2:15, Max: 15,   Lab T 2:30-5:30
Content: Overview of ecosystem ecology, including dynamics of large-scale systems, landscape ecology, ecosystem structure and function. Topics in the course will include: methods of ecosystem analysis, energy flow, nutrient cycling, community dynamics, issues of scale, models, and ecosystem properties. 
Text(s):
Particulars: This course includes a weekly lab plus two weekend field trips.  This course fulfills the Field Course requirement for Environmental Studies majors.

ENVS 329 Religion and Ecology:  Ecology and Christian Ethics (Same as REL 329)
Van Houten, TTh 4:00-5:15, Max 5
Content: This course explores the various ways Christianity and Science describe the environmental crisis, how the two might abet or resist this crisis, and how they narrate citizenship and the good life. (What is good work, for example?) The primary aim is to learn the travail of the earth and see how animals, plants, mountains, oceans – even the atmosphere – has not escaped human domination. We will discern how the Biblical narratives of community, covenant, and creation may shape human relations with the larger world. Our discussions will alternate between theory and practice, at times focusing on histories of ideas (like dominion) and other times on natural histories of places (like Hawaii).
Text(s): ·        Michael Northcott, The Environment and Christian Ethics (Cambridge University Press, 1999); Andrew Light and Holmes Rolston, Environmental Ethics: an Anthology (Blackwell, 2003);  EO Wilson, The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth (Norton 2006);   Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America (Sierra Club Books, 1996);  With additional readings from: Carolyn Merchant, Lisa Sideris, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Everett Fox, Val Plumwood, John Howard Yoder, Stuart Pimm, Louis Menand, Stanley Hauerwas, Simon Schama, Andrew Linzey, and others.
*Candler students only* Alasdair MacIntyre, Dependent Rational Animals (Open Court, 1999)
Particulars: This course counts for the undergraduate ethics minor. Grading will be based on active participation (15%), oral presentations (15%), a reflective journal (15%), and two papers (25%, 30%). There will be two local field trips. The first will be to observe the fall bird migration and second will be a comparative visit to industrial and organic autumn harvests. Please note Candler students have additional readings.

ENVS 344: American Environmental History (Same as HIST 344)
Allitt, MWF 10:40 - 11:30, Max:20
Content: The history of the relationship between people, plants, animals, wind, microbes, and chemicals in North America, from the time of the conquistadores to the present. The second half of the course will be a close study of American environmentalism and its critics in recent decades.
Texts: To be announced.
Particulars: Four short papers, a midterm and a final. No prerequisites except an interest in the topic and a willingness to study maps and to read 150 pages every week.

ENVS 345: Conservation Biology (Same as BIOL 345)
Gunderson, TTH 10:00-11:15, Max: 20
Content: This course focuses on the conservation of biodiversity and introduces students to ways that ecological and evolutionary principles can be used to conserve and protect species and ecosystems at risk.
Text(s): TBA
Particulars:  Prerequisite: ENVS 120, 131, or BIO 120, 142 or permission.

ENVS 350WR. Environmental Thought: Ethics, Philosophy, and Issues
Spears, MWF, 9:35-10:25, Max: 18
Content: This course is designed to expose students to the philosophical and ethical dimensions of human-nature relationships. This interactive course explores major trends in environmental thought and ethical dimensions of ecological relationships—between humans and nonhuman nature—with particular attention to varying conceptions of nature, health, and environmental justice. Ethical concepts such as utilitarianism, natural law, and intrinsic value, as applied through various approaches to environmentalism—including environmental regulation, natural capital, wise use, environmental justice, eco-feminism, and deep ecology—will be explored. We will consider the a variety of case studies, including ethical debates surrounding genetically altered crops, antibiotic resistance, global climate change, toxics and health, biodiversity, and more.
Text(s): TBA
Particulars: 

ENVS 361 Ecosystems Through Time
Martin, MWF 9:35-10:25, Max: 12
Content: This course provides an overview of paleoecology and paleoecological methods, which will be accomplished by examining the geological and paleontological evidence for ecosystems (marine, estuarine, freshwater, terrestrial) from the last 600 million years of earth history. Common themes will be a better understanding of the evolution of ecosystems, as well as how ancient ecosystems compare to modern analogues. Several weekend field trips are required.
Text(s): Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems (2003), by P.A. Selden and J.R. Nudds (University of Chicago Press); some readings from primary literature.
Particulars: Prerequisites: ENVS 131-132, or BIO 141-142, or permission of instructor.

ENVS 385 Introduction to Natural  Science Illustration
Ruttan, W 11:45-2:30, Max: 15
Content: This course introduces students to the practice of illustration in the
natural sciences. The primary focus of the course is for students to
developing an awareness of how to convey scientific information and
concepts. Students will be also be given assistance in developing their
representational skills using traditional media. The course is open to
students at all levels of skill and prior experience.
Text(s): TBA
Particulars: none

ENVS 385 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Digital Mapping w/Lab
Page, Th 1:00 - 2:15, Max: 19, Labs Th 2:30-5:30
Content: An introduction to the study and design of digital maps and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) as a problem-solving tool for geographic analysis. Course lectures will focus on fundamental concepts and applications of GIS, data collection and processing, cartographic design techniques, and trends in geospatial technologies. Course labs will focus on learning ArcGIS mapping software, topographic map reading and analysis, field methods and global positioning systems (GPS), and GIS project design.
Text(s): Krygier, J and Wood, D Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS; Price, M Mastering ArcGIS 3rd Edition.
Particulars: Course includes a laboratory component and a final mapping project.

ENVS 385S. Special Topics in Environmental Studies: Gender, Justice, and Environment
Spears, MWF, 2:00-2:50, Max: 20
Content: This course examines the history and philosophies of eco-feminism, themes surrounding conceptions of nature and gender, and gender-based efforts for environmental reform. Texts include life histories of women involved in environmental reform, broadly conceived, including slave narratives, accounts of experiences in the women’s club movement, the conservation movement, and Progressive Era occupational and public health reform, along with more well-known twentieth century nature writers, scholars, and activists. Particular attention is paid to women whose identities are defined in part by their status as immigrants, women of color, or in other marginalized categories. Case studies explore global environmental reform as well as U.S. experiences.
Text(s): TBA
Particulars: 

ENVS 385: Earth Materials: Minerology and Petrology
Size, MWF 10:40-11:30, Max: 20
Content: The course is mainly intended as an intermediate course for ENVS-students and others interested in the origin and history of earth materials. The first part, Mineralogy, will deal with the description, identification, and classification of minerals using symmetry, physical and optical properties. It will also include the genesis of minerals, mining, and their use in society. The second part, Petrology, will concentrate on the main rock-forming minerals in the crust of the Earth and the petrogenesis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The rock cycle will be emphasized along with the processes of weathering and soil production.
Text(s): Earth's Materials - Minerals and Rocks, 2001, by Gautam Sen. Published by Prentice Hall.
Particulars: An understanding of basic chemistry and introductory geology will be helpful. Two weekend fieldtrips. 

ENVS 385S: Geology & Health: From Global to Self
Size, TTH  10:00-11:15  Max: 18
Content: A new way of looking at the interaction between natural geologic processes, such as volcanic eruptions, groundwater, earthquakes, and human health on a scale from global to your own body. Topics include toxicology, epidemiology, physiology, biogeochemical cycling, natural hazards, forensic geology, geomedicine, nutrition, and pollution.
Note: Recommended course for ENVS/MPH joint program students.
Text(s): Topic is too new for any textbooks to be available. However, there will be assigned readings on the subjects listed above and handouts. Student presentations can be in an interest you have on the subject such as cancers, breathing disorders, neurotoxins, and heavy metals and their connection to the natural environment.
Particulars:

ENVS 390: Seminar on Environmental Issues
Kitron, Tue 11:30-12:45, Max: 40
Content: Students will attend the bi-weekly Environmental Studies Departmental Seminar, which features speakers from within and outside the University. They may also attend selected academic lectures or seminars outside the Department.
During weeks without seminars the class will meet to discuss papers by next week’s seminar speakers. Student will write brief synopses and essays based on these papers and talks.
Text(s): A variety of published papers and selected readings will be utilized.
Particulars:  Required course for ENVS majors and minors

ENVS 495R:Honors Research
Martin, TBA
Content: Prerequisite: permission required.
Note: Students may register for a writing-intensive section (ENVS 495RWR) which will fulfill a Post-Freshman writing requirement.
Text(s): None
Particulars: Permission of Honors Coordinator is required.  May not be used as a Focus Area course for ENVS majors or minors.  Satisfies Independent Study requirement for ENVS majors.

ENVS 497R:Undergraduate Internship
Yandle, TBA, Max:15
Content: Internship open to ENVS students. This course provides credit for work and experience gained during an environmentally-based internship position. In addition to internship work, course will meet once monthly in the evenings, date TBA.
Text(s): None
Particulars: Permission required. Variable credit 1-8 hours. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credit hours. May not be used as a Focus Area course for ENVS majors or minors.  May be used to satisfy Independent Study requirement for ENVS majors.

ENVS 498R:Individual Directed Reading
Faculty, TBA
Content: Independent reading course based on materials chosen by student and advisor.
Note: With approval, students may register for a writing-intensive section (ENVS 499RWR).
Text(s): TBA
Particulars: Permission of instructor required. Variable credit 1-8 hours. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credit hours.  May not be used as a Focus Area course for ENVS majors or minors.  May be used to satisfy Independent Study requirement for ENVS majors.
 

ENVS 499R:Individual Research
Faculty, TBA
Content: Independent research conducted under the direction of a faculty member.
Note: With approval, students may register for a writing-intensive section (ENVS 499RWR).
 Text(s): TBA
Particulars: Permission of instructor is required. Variable credit; 1-8 hours. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credit hours. May not be used as a Focus Area course for ENVS majors or minors.  May be used to satisfy Independent Study requirement for ENVS majors.